The OL must make a big step in improvement this offseason.
During my look at the defensive positions that have Oregon State football fans worried, comments frequently came up about the OL. So, it’s time to give that a group a look headed in spring practice.
The Beavers need the OL to be a lot better for a chance to win. I know. That’s the biggest understatement of the year.
Returning players need to get healthy, bigger, stronger and meaner. A lot meaner is the second biggest understatement.
Let’s start with center.
Geoff Garner (6-5, 308): He got a lot of work at the end of the season when Grant Johnson was hurt. His experience gives him the edge to keep his spot.
Roman Sapolu (6-2, 269): Considered the center of the future, but an injured foot slowed his development early last season.
Michael Beaton (6-3, 300): Started out at guard, but got some work in practice at center. He’s more of a depth guy. I hear he’s a pretty good actor.
Guards
Josh Andrews (6-2, 295): The guy with the attitude hurt his knee at Wisconsin, missed some time but came back late in the season. His potential is still untapped.
Grant Enger (6-5, 279): Started out as a tackle backup, but moved to guard with Andrews out. He played well and now they can make a strong interior core.
OG Josh Andrews is the leader of the OL.
Tackles
Colin Kelly (6-5, 295): Started last season but was hampered with a ankle injury that needed offseason surgery. He’ll miss spring, but must be ready for training camp.
Michael Philipp (6-4, 308): Redshirted last year after two years of significant playing to get knee surgery. He returned to practice late so he should be in good shape for the spring and fall.
Darryl Jackson (6-6, 323): He was going to be looked at last season but a hip injury forced a redshirt. He game in big and trimmed down. I don’t know if that’s good or not, yet. Rivals.com says he’s a three-star athlete.
Derek Nielsen (6-4, 270): A walk-on who worked his way onto the two-deep by the end of the year due to injury. Could be the next standout walk-on?
OL finding their way
Justin Addie (6-2, 311): He could be a tackle with his size, but we’ll see after his redshirt year. He might be needed as a backup guard. Coach Mike Cavanaugh says he has that nasty streak that’s needed. Rivals.com rated him a three-star athlete.
David Vieru (6-3, 315): Redshirt walk-on with some good size. Time will tell with him.
Jake Welch (6-2, 308): Another big walk-on who redshirted last season.
Incoming recruits
There are six verbal commitments, but those guys are not likely to make an impact for a year or two. The exception is four-star recruit Isaac Seumalo from Corvallis High.
So, the Beavers have experience at all five spots if they go with the veteran lineup up Kelly, Andrews, Garner, Enger and Philipp. However, look for Addie and Sapolu, Jackson and Seumalo to push for playing time.
20 comments
dili says:
Dec 30, 2011
Watched the Husky/Baylor game last night and confirmed my belief that the only way the Beavers will be successful in the future is to junk the Langsdorf gang and reinvent our offense with a spread focus, and a mobile running quarterback like both the Fuskies and the Bears have (and of course the Ducks). We are pathetic with our old fashihoned high school plays. Happy New Year Cliff to you and your family.
chris says:
Dec 30, 2011
Langsdorf’s fault? Lordy. There were a ton of injuries on the line, 3 freshman at skill positions and an injured all american. Glad you are just a hater and not the coach.
mike says:
Dec 30, 2011
Langsdorf’s play calling was abysmal. There is some real talent coming back on both offense and defense, but the coaches need to be held accountable. I love Coach Cav but we paid the price for some really bad recruiting-it’s time for this staff to stop making excuses.
Jack says:
Dec 30, 2011
Wait… Nielson the next standout walk-on? Wouldn’t we need a first standout walk-on on the o-line to have a “next”?
Or are you talking about the handful we’ve had at WR and the one QB?
Attrition will be the best thing to happen to our o-line after years of it being an excuse. Even if the coaches circle the wagons and shoot the “experience” canard at us restless natives, the talent will be that much better.
dunerat says:
Dec 30, 2011
If we scrap the Offense and go to the Spread your talking about a 3-4 year rebuild. Cause we don’t have the players or the Coaches for it. These Coaches don’t know the Spread, so you would have clean house and start over. Is that what you really want?
RenoNVbeavr says:
Dec 30, 2011
Forget the spread, or at least one used with a mobile QB. I believe a pro style offense is still viable. However, more imaginative play-calling and utilization of players that we have on the roster is essential. Case in point: Halahuni, the most dangerous TE in the conference, a guy who almost single-handedly brought Cal and USC to their nears 2 years ago, was vastly underutilized this year. I am not talking about that lame-duck TE screen up the middle, either, which nearly every team both in/out of our conf now has caught on. What would be highly adviseable is if the Beavs used a balanced scheme similar to BSU. It doesnt matter what QB is operating in the BSU offense. Its universally successful! Time to get with the program, Langs/Riley. Your offense is outdated!
wcjr says:
Dec 30, 2011
Outdated describes our offense perfectly, Reno. As I’ve said before, when a Hall of Fame NFL QB tells me how lacking in imagination and creativity our offense is you would think Mike must realize this. Riley’s not stupid, perhaps he is too stubborn to admit today’s college game is starting to pass him by. After all, he has to be hearing the outcry about the predictability of the offense even if he doesn’t read the papers or the blogs. Question is, what’s it gonna take to sway him to make the appropriate changes?
family fan says:
Jan 4, 2012
Thanks Reno we all have sit here thinking what the heck were they thinking not using Halahuni this year he was a huge part of the offence that was overlooked this year and I hope the coaching staff of OSU have not ruined his chances of moving forward in the NFL,
RenoNVbeavr says:
Dec 30, 2011
WCJR – I look back to Mike Bellotti having the COURAGE to look at the offensive scheme he had in place for years -really a carryover from Rich Brooks- and elected to go in an entirely different direction. Bellotti had the stones! He saw the changing landscape in CFB and observed that his offense was getting stagnant and in danger of being left behind. What foresight Bellotti had in hiring an obscure no-name (Chip Kelly) from, what, New Hampshire (UCONN, RI, what)?!? Bellotti understood that he was going to take considerable heat from not only his fan base but alumni, donors and the media. However, he continued to put faith in this new system because it was sorely needed. It wasnt a question of whether he needed to change the system. However, Bellotti knew that if he wanted to take the Ducks to even greater heights than 7 or 8 win seasons he needed to reshape his program. Again…Bellotti had STONES!!!
wcjr says:
Dec 30, 2011
I gave my UO friends a lot of grief when Bellotti hired this “no-name.” I still feel like a fool, Reno! In his 3 years he’s only lost 2/3 as many games as we lost just last season! Gotta give Bellotti and staff credit for their due diligence. I’d like to see some of that from the Beaver coaching staff.
wcjr says:
Dec 30, 2011
Of course, 2 of those losses were BCS bowls and none were even remotely to the likes of Sac ST.
RenoNVBeavr says:
Dec 30, 2011
The thing I admire about Chip Kelly is that no matter who the opponent is, no matter what the score, that offense is always going full throttle. Kelly has the mindset -and this is clearly embraced by his assistants and players- that by letting up on opponent even for an instant could soften the pysche/killer instinct of his squad. Riley has never, ever had that killer instinct nor has it ever been instilled on his players. Is it any wonder that every coach has nothing but NICE things to say about Riley. Yea, ever hear those kind of words uttered about Kelly after he pastes a team by 40+???
OS_Beaver says:
Dec 30, 2011
I am hopeful OSU will beat the Cougars. We match up better but they won’t be wanting to start 0-2 either. OSU needs this next one pretty bad if we are to have any realistic odds to make the NCAA tourney. Respect is earned and tomorrow needs to be the start of learning to win on the road in the Pac-12.
OSU 82, Wazzu 78
Oregon St. @ Wazzu Preview:
http://beaverbyte.com
Ben says:
Dec 30, 2011
Wow, if we have hardly any new talent on the O-line coming in and all those guys from last year coming back, we are S-C-R-E-W-E-D. Those guys were horrible game one and in game 12. No amount of off season program is going to make the line into something they arent
dili says:
Dec 30, 2011
dunerat, my answer to your question is ABSOLUTELY, and the sooner we get started the faster we can become successful. Thanks for your question
BeaverDon says:
Dec 31, 2011
NICK HOLT AND 2 DEFENSIVE COACHES FIRED AN WAHINGTON
Holt had 4 years and he is gone…when will Riley realize changes are needed?
Bvs1 says:
Dec 31, 2011
With that O-Line line-up and the same antiquated offense, what excuses will we have next year? How much longer will we have to hear them before changes occur? No more $$ donated until changes are made
Beavrob says:
Dec 31, 2011
The pass protection was better than the previous year but run blocking was a serious problem. With the poor performance over the last three seasons and the incoming talent, it should be open season on the OL positions this spring. I thought Andrews played well at times, but I was not impressed with any of the others. Sure, everyone should be better next year, but they really need to be MUCH better. I hope that Jackson and Addie or the incoming freshmen are good enough to compete for a starting spot – if not, I feel that the Beavs o-line will remain a glaring weakness. If Jackson is as good as advertised, I’d move Phillip to guard to start the best linemen. I think this lineup might have potential:
RT: C. Kelly
RG: M. Phillip
C: G. Garner
LG: J. Andrews
LT: D. Jackson
bbb says:
Jan 2, 2012
beavrob:
i love this starting lineup except for two things:
1- riley refuses to move phillip inside. big mistake cause he has NFL potential there.
2- if colin kelly doesnt improve vastly this off season i would give Isaac Seumalo a shot at unseeding him. we are going to blow again next year so lets get the talented youth playing on the o-line now.
Beavrob says:
Jan 3, 2012
I read a couple years back that the coaching staff asked Phillip if he would move to guard, but he preferred to play tackle – hopefully Phillip will reconsider if needed.